A mysterious donor has gifted the Japanese city of Osaka a staggering 21 kilograms (46 pounds) of gold bars, worth an estimated 560 million yen ($3.6 million; £2.7 million), to help fix its ageing water infrastructure. The donation, made last November, was confirmed Thursday by Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama, who described the gift as “staggering” and said he was “lost for words.”
Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city and a commercial hub in the Kansai region, is home to nearly three million residents. Like many Japanese cities, it faces mounting challenges with ageing water and sewage systems. In the 2024 fiscal year alone, the city recorded more than 90 cases of water pipe leaks under its roads, raising concerns over public safety.
“Tackling ageing water pipes requires a huge investment,” Mayor Yokoyama told reporters. “So I have nothing but appreciation for this incredibly generous donation.” The mayor also revealed that the same anonymous benefactor had previously given 500,000 yen in cash to support municipal waterworks projects.
Japan’s water infrastructure faces a growing crisis. More than 20% of the country’s water pipes have passed their legal service life of 40 years, according to local media reports. The ageing system has contributed to frequent sinkholes, some of which have caused serious accidents. In 2024, a massive sinkhole in Saitama Prefecture swallowed the cab of a truck, killing the driver, an incident believed to have been caused by a ruptured sewage pipe.
These incidents have prompted authorities across Japan to accelerate efforts to replace corroded and deteriorating pipelines. However, budget constraints have slowed progress in many cities, making private donations, such as this gold gift, particularly valuable.
The city’s waterworks bureau said in a statement that the donation will be “put to good use,” prioritising repairs and maintenance of critical pipelines to ensure public safety. With this generous contribution, Osaka hopes to speed up necessary water system upgrades, protecting residents and maintaining infrastructure that has long been under strain.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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